While it will be nice to be able to finish your movie, e-book or presentation without an interruption for departure and arrival, this move is expected to benefit the traveler experience in other ways.

For example, without having to police whose device is "on" or "off," flight attendants will be free to concentrate on getting passengers seated and baggage stowed quickly. Pre-flight announcements will necessarily be more brief.

Some have suggested this small change with regard to electronic devices could create a time savings at the beginning of flights that could cascade throughout the air travel system, improving overall on-time records.

For many travelers, this rule change seems long overdue. I'm about as pro-traveler as they come, but I firmly believe the FAA's process for arriving at this decision was exactly correct.

The agency gathered together the right stakeholders in the committee tasked with pondering the onboard electronics question — aviation manufacturers, pilots, flight attendants, technology experts and passengers, to name a few. That body deliberated for 10 months before issuing its recommendations in early October. As should always be the case, safety remained the priority.

And far from advocating that takeoffs and landings become an electronic free-for-all, the committee's specific recommendations are a model of caution and moderation.

For one thing, the new policy is not a done deal; the FAA will first issue guidelines for air carriers to evaluate their fleets' ability to tolerate radio signal interference. All devices that can receive cell tower signals must be used in "airplane mode" throughout the flight. Larger laptops must be stowed below 10,000 feet. Airlines are urged to instruct their passengers to still turn off devices during instances of severe weather with low visibility.

But overall, the FAA is to be commended for moving in the direction of consumer-friendly practices. Add this latest rules change to the list of policies — along with the implementation of Automated Passport Control and the expansion of programs such as Pre-check and Visa Waiver — that prove convenience and security are by no means mutually exclusive.